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Avast Anti-Theft - FAQs

Anti-Theft is a feature included in Avast Mobile Security designed to protect your private mobile data and help you recover your phone in case of loss or theft. You can configure Anti-Theft to automatically perform certain actions, for example to sound an alarm if an untrusted SIM card is detected. Additionally, you can control any lost or stolen device remotely via your Avast Account, which allows you to track the device and lock or erase private data.

Getting started

How can I access Anti-Theft?

The newest version of Anti-Theft is included in Avast Mobile Security. To start using this feature:

Download and install Avast Mobile Security from the Google Play Store. For more information about installation, refer to the following article:

To get access to the additional options offered by Anti-Theft in Avast Mobile Security, upgrade your app to a paid version, for example Avast Mobile Security Pro. For more information about upgrading to a paid version of Avast Mobile Security, refer to following article:

On the main screen of Avast Mobile Security Pro, click the ☰Menu icon in the top-left corner and select Anti-Theft to open this feature.

Why are some features of Anti-Theft now only available as part of paid versions of Avast Mobile Security?

We decided to include the following features only in paid versions of Avast Mobile Security:

Capturing a photo of the thief when an incorrect PIN code is entered.

Locking your device when the SIM card is changed.

Secretly recording an audio file of the device's surroundings.

This decision provides you with all the most important device protection features in one app and allows us to support the ongoing development of all features offered within Avast Mobile Security.

I have a standalone version of Anti-Theft. Do I need to uninstall it?

If you have already downloaded Anti-Theft from the Google Play Store and installed it as a standalone app, you can keep using it. All features are still available for you free of charge. However, this app does not receive new updates and is no longer available to download from the the Google Play Store. We recommend that customers start using the new Anti-Theft feature as part of a paid version of Avast Mobile Security to keep your device updated and protected.

What additional Anti-Theft options are included in paid versions of Avast Mobile Security?

Anti-Theft with a paid version of Avast Mobile Security offers three additional features:

Capturing a photo of the thief when an incorrect PIN code is entered.

Locking your device when the SIM card is changed.

Secretly recording an audio file of the device's surroundings.

You need to upgrade your Avast Mobile Security to access to these features.

Features and Settings

What is Cloud storage?

When you mark your device as LOST, Anti-Theft automatically takes a photo of the possible thief and records an audio file to help you locate your device. To send the photo and recorded audio file to your Google Drive:

Open Anti-Theft, and scroll down to When device is marked as LOST.

Tap Cloud storage for Camera Trap and recordings.

Select Google Drive

By default, these files are sent only to your Avast Account. The option to send files to your Google Drive can also be enabled within your Avast Account for older versions of Anti-Theft that do not include the Cloud storage feature in the app.

What is PIN security?

What is Lock on SIM change?

If you activate SIM security, the device locks automatically when it detects a SIM card change. This is especially useful if a potential thief attempts to insert another SIM card into your device. SIM security can be enabled manually in Anti-Theft ▸ Lock on SIM change.

What is Lock screen message?

In this section, you can prepare a message, for example a warning or contact data which appears on the lock screen if the device is lost or stolen. Go to Anti-Theft ▸ Lock screen message then enter your chosen message and tap Save.

What is the 'Web control on my.avast.com' section?

During the activation process, Anti-Theft asks you to log in to your Avast Account to set up Web Control. This is necessary if you want to control your device remotely in the case of loss or theft. If you skipped this option during configuration or want to manage the account, go to Anti-Theft ▸ Connection to Avast Account and log in.

What is the 'PIN & pattern' section?

Here you can change the PIN that you set during the activation process. To change it you need your current PIN. Go to Anti-Theft ▸ PIN & pattern. You have the option to Change PIN, Set pattern, or enable the Unlock with fingerprint feature.

What is Command history?

In this section, you can review the history of commands received by and sent from the device. To view the list, go to Anti-Theft ▸ Command history.

What is the 'When device is marked as LOST' section?

In this section, you can define the individual behavior of the app when you mark your device as LOST. You can specify your preferred features:

Lock device: the device locks.

Sound siren: the siren sounds automatically.

Enable Camera Trap: the camera captures a photo of the potential thief.

Enable Last known location: the app records the last known location of your device before the battery dies.

These settings are applied only if you mark your device as lost. You can mark your device as lost via your Avast Account. All options are enabled by default to provide maximum protection in case of loss or theft. If you want to disable any of the settings, go to Anti-Theft ▸ When device is marked as LOST.

General

How do I remotely control my lost or stolen device with Anti-Theft?

Anti-Theft offers several commands that may be used if you want to locate your lost phone, secure your data, or contact a possible thief. For more details, refer to the following article: